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Monster Energy® Kawasaki rider Eli Tomac came to Round 9 in Daytona, FL feeling rejuvenated after a visit back home to Colorado during the week. It was also evident that Tomac was feeling comfortable on the unique Daytona dirt as he set the fastest qualifying lap Saturday, placing him on pole. He carried that momentum into his Heat Race, grabbing the holeshot, never looking back and taking a commanding win. He lined up behind the same gate in the Main Event, in hopes of another great start. His KX™450F would not disappoint as he accelerated into turn one bar to bar with the series points leader and quickly made moves in turn two to solidify the lead position on the opening lap. As the track deteriorated, Tomac maintained an intense pace, inching away from second place. He would stay calm and composed all 20 laps and light the candles to his first 2016 supercross win.

“This is something we’ve been working towards all season,” said Tomac. “For being off the bike for as long I was, I think I was expecting too much of myself right away. Daytona is a race I’ve been looking forward to all year and it’s an event everyone wants to win. I was feeling great all day and it showed as I qualified first, won my heat and capping it off with a Main Event win. I couldn’t be happier!”

Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki riders Tyler Bowers and Arnaud Tonus came into round 2 of the 250SX East Region Championship looking to build on their performance from round 1. Both Bowers and Tonus rode strong in their respective Heat Races to qualify straight into the main. At the gate drop of the Main Event, the Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki KX™250F riders were inside the top 10 and fought hard to move forward as the terrain began to break down. At the checkers, Tonus would finish 6th with his teammate Bowers in 10th.

“Today was a huge improvement,” said Tonus. “I felt a lot better on the bike and I believe I proved that in both the Heat Race and Main Event. I was able to push for all 15-laps and made some great passes. It feels great to be able to ride like I know I can”

“Round 2 was an improvement,” said Bowers. “We’ve been working hard during the week to get back to where we want to be and it’s nice to see these small improvements every weekend. I’m looking forward to building on this finish next week in Canada.”